News

Montana Supreme Court Upholds CSKT Water Compact

The Montana Supreme Court this week upheld the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ hard-won water compact, ruling that the legislatively approved water rights measure is constitutionally intact. Read More

The CSKT Water Compact and the federal settlement legislation seeking to resolve the claims of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes against the federal government recently received its first hearing in the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Read More

Tribes tout economic impact if water compact is approved

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes say the water compact that settles their claims against the federal government will “create 6,330 jobs and generate $52.9 million in recurring, annual economic activity in Montana,” according to an Read More

MISSOULIAN EDITORIAL: Water compacts must overcome congressional current

Earlier today Senator Jon Tester announced his introduction of
landmark legislation to create jobs, ratify the CSKT Water Compact, and settle
the claims of the CSKT against the federal government. Read More

Walt Sales: Support the water compact

I strongly support the CSKT Water Compact as a negotiated agreement between farmers, ranchers, irrigators, water users, and tribal members that will help to ensure the future of agriculture in Montana. Read More

CSKT water compact will protect Montana agriculture

Without the Compact, the tribes would have to define their water rights through litigation in the Montana Water Court — a costly, time-consuming and uncertain process that would have dire consequences for Montana taxpayers... Read More

The sky is not falling and the black helicopters are not circling…

Elaine Willman's the "sky-is-falling" opinion criticizing the CSKT Water Compact ("Federal Domestic Abuse: The Political Ruin of 30,000 Montanans" in the November 12, 2015 issue of the Western Ag Reporter) is not only a gross dramatization but so Read More

Compact protects Montana water users

In her Jan. 26 opinion, “Congress must not pass the water compact,” Jeanette Zentgraf displays a willful disregard for the facts behind the compact, as well as the events leading to its passage. Read More

FARM Reaches Out to Montana Delegation, Encourages Support of Compact

(Helena, Mont.)—The co-chairs of Farmers and Ranchers for Montana (FARM) have reached out to the Montana Congressional delegation and their staff to express their support for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe (CSKT) Water Compact. Read More

Governor signs bipartisan CSKT water compact into law

After passing both chambers of the Montana State Legislature with bipartisan majorities SB 262, the CSKT Water Compact, has made its way to the governor’s desk where Gov. Bullock signed the bill early Monday afternoon. Read More

CSKT will likely file water claims while waiting for federal compact approval

Although the State of Montana has endorsed the Flathead Water Compact, it still could be a few years before Congress follows suit. And that means it's likely the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will file individual water claims in an effort Read More

Gov. Bullock signs Flathead water compact, last of 7 tribal water negotiations with Montana

Governor signs Flathead water compact

Gov. Steve Bullock on Friday signed a bill containing the last and most contentious of seven tribal water compacts in Montana.
The Democratic governor signed Senate Bill 262 surrounded by about 150 supporters, including bill sponsor Sen. Chas Read More

Bullock signs tribal water rights ratification into law – but more rivers to cross

Before Gov. Steve Bullock on Friday signed the bill ratifying the Flathead tribal water rights compact, tribal Chairman Vernon Finley said it has one primary goal – “protect the water” – and that he hopes opponents will recognize it’s Read More

Thankful for compact support

Susan Lake and Mary Stranahan of the Montana Water Stewards would like to thank everyone who drove to Helena, wrote letters to their representatives and made telephone calls in support of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Compact and Read More

Gazette opinion: Diverse Montanans support water compact

Members of the Montana House must wade into one of the most important and complex issues of the 2015 session this week. The water compact negotiated over the past decade by the Montana Reserve Water Rights Commission and the Confederated and Salish Read More

CSKT Water Compact Continues to Move Through Process, to House Floor

April 14, 2015 by FARM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2015
CONTACT
Shelby DeMars
406-660-1969
CSKT Water Compact Continues to Move Through Process, to House Floor
(Helena, Mont.)—After a long Saturday hearing where hundreds of water users from across the Read More

Water compact debates extensive in House

A 10-hour committee hearing drew hundreds of citizens to testify at the state Capitol Saturday, with numbers roughly split on the contentious bill that would ratify the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ water compact. Read More

Lawmakers Debated Flathead Compact Saturday, Vote Monday

The Montana State Capitol was bustling with activity Saturday, as literal busloads of people arrived from the Flathead Valley to weigh in on the controversial Flathead Reservation compact that will settle tribal water rights and determine how much Read More

Hundreds of Montanans Show Support for CSKT Water Compact

April 11, 2015 by FARM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2015
CONTACT
Shelby DeMars
406-660-1969
Hundreds of Montanans Show Support for CSKT Water Compact
(Helena, Mont.)—The passage or failure of the CSKT Water Compact will determine whether thousands of Read More

Hinkle off base in vote against water compact

In an opinion piece published on this page on April 1, state Sen. Jedediah Hinkle, a Bozeman-area Republican, explained his vote against the proposed water compact between the state and the tribes of the Flathead Reservation by writing, “This Read More

CSKT to send compact supporters to Helena

The CSKT Water Compact passed through the state Senate and now it must pass through the House to get signed by Gov. Steve Bullock. The hearing in the House is planned for 10 a.m., April 11 in Helena. Read More

5 best reasons to pass water compact

In my eight years in the Montana Senate, I have never seen a piece of legislation with as many positive impacts for the citizens of our state as there are currently in the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact. Unfortunately, Read More

Compact Brings Security to Montana

First and foremost it protects junior water users from having to object to the very senior claims of the CSKT tribe but beyond that it brings more years than we can guess to water security in Western Montana. It secures 90,000 acre feet of water in Read More

Please pass CSKT Water Compact

In 1855, when the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes entered into a treaty (The Treaty of Hellgate) with the United States government, the Flathead Indian Reservation was established. Along with the reservation, the treaty also established Read More

Compact will protect Montana water rights

Nobody should have to waste their hard-earned money on unnecessary and avoidable litigation. Not passing the CSKT Water Compact will make it necessary for water users to appear in court to defend their water rights. This will cost taxpayers millions Read More

LTE: Water compact needed

Standing up for what is right isn’t always easy, and with an issue as contentious and important as water use, there is bound to be conflict and disagreement – which is why I think Sen. Fred Thomas deserves to be thanked for his service to Read More

CSKT Water Compact: Passage will protect pocketbooks

In 1855, when the CSKT entered into a treaty (The Treaty of Hellgate) with the United States government, the Flathead Indian Reservation was established. Along with the reservation, the treaty also established that the tribes had certain other Read More

Vote Yes for CSKT water compact

he Bitterroot Valley includes a diverse community of businesses and a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds. A fundamental requirement to business success and property values alike is an assurance that core assets are viable and reasonably Read More

MT Agriculture Business Association Announces Compact Support As SB 262 Heads To House For Hearing

After being passed by the Montana State Senate with strong bi-partisan support and endorsed by Montana’s major agriculture and water use groups, the CSKT Water Compact begins its journey through the Montana State House with a hearing in the House Read More

CSKT water compact: Ratification will secure rights

The choice that our elected officials in the Montana House will be making on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact will have far-reaching impacts for water users across our state. Their choice will either protect the water rights Read More

CSKT Water Compact: Avoid costly, unnecessary litigation

Nobody should have to waste their hard-earned money on unnecessary and avoidable litigation. Not passing the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact will make it necessary for water users to appear in court to defend their water Read More

Water Compact provides certainty

The CSKT Water Compact was passed through the Senate with strong bipartisan support — showcasing the growing understanding and support behind the Compact. Sen. Chas Vincent has gone to great lengths to ensure that all Montanans understand the Read More

Water compact is key to preventing wave of litigation

The future of our water resources hangs in the balance. The decision that legislators make on the CSKT Water Compact will either provide water and property rights certainty or condemn thousands of farmers, ranchers and irrigators to decades of legal Read More

Compact provides protection for existing water rights

The Compact was passed through the Senate with strong bipartisan support— showcasing the growing understanding and support behind the Compact. Senator Chas Vincent has gone to great lengths to ensure that all Montanans understand the components of Read More

MT Agriculture Business Association Announces Compact Support as SB 262 Heads to House for Hearing

March 24, 2015 by FARM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2015
CONTACT
Shelby DeMars
406-660-1969
MT Agriculture Business Association Announces Compact Support as SB 262 Heads to House for Hearing
(Helena, Mont.)—After being passed by Montana State Senate with Read More

CSKT water compact awaits approval in MT

Claiming and retaining water use rights has been an issue for landowners for centuries. The discussion and controversy over who owns the water and is entitled to use it continues today. The issue is at the forefront in Montana as debate continues in Read More

Passing the Compact will make Montana stronger

The future of our water resources hangs in the balance. The decision that legislators make on the CSKT Water Compact will either provide water and property rights certainty or condemn thousands of farmers, ranchers, and irrigators to decades of Read More

Letter encouraging your support of SB 262, the CSKT Water Compact from the City of Polson

March 23, 2015 by Mayor Heather Knutson and Polson City Commissioners

*Click here to download the PDF of the official letter from the City of Polson**
Dear Chairman Bennett and House Judiciary Committee Members,
Greetings from the City of Polson. We would like to thank Representative Dan Salomon and Greg Hertz Read More

Flathead Community Members Gather in Support of CSKT Water Compact

March 21, 2015 by FARM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2015
CONTACT
Shelby DeMars
406-660-1969
Flathead Community Members Gather in Support of CSKT Water Compact
(Pablo, Mont.)—Farmers, ranchers, irrigators, and water users from across the Flathead Valley Read More

Passing Compact is the Fiscally Responsible Choice

March 14, 2015 by Former Congressman Rick Hill

After extensively reviewing the Water Compact agreement and its related appendices, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for the Legislature to approve the Water Compact negotiated by the State of Montana and the CSKT.
There are certain Read More

Passing water compact prevents unnecessary litigation

The decision that our legislators make on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe (CSKT) Water Compact could shape the future of our state for decades to come. While many would have you believe that the Compact only impacts the Flathead and areas Read More

CSKT water compact: Supporters have greater credibility

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact has caused quite a bit of stir. Two years ago, we didn't have an opinion. Since then, we've read, listened and evaluated the pros and cons of the issue. Read More

CSKT water compact benefits all Montanans

The CSKT water compact is just one of the many important negotiated agreements that our state has entered into over a long period of time with the Indian tribes of Montana. Through the years, numerous water compacts and other state-tribal Read More

MISSOULIAN EDITORIAL: Help water compact clear House hurdle

With Montana's Legislature now in the second half of the session, it's time for our lawmakers to focus on the most important issues facing our state. Water, they agree, is one of them. Unfortunately, that's where the agreement ends. Read More

Much work remains for Montana Legislature

Lawmakers have passed the halfway mark in the 2015 general session of the Legislature. After a midway break of a few days, they have returned to Helena where the bulk of the work they must get done remains. Read More

Former Congressman Rick Hill announces support of Water Compact

March 5, 2015 by Rick Hill

I have come to the conclusion that it is time for the Legislature to approve the Water Compact negotiated by the State of Montana and CSKT.
There are certain realities that the Compact requires us to recognize. These realities have been difficult Read More

Six reasons why MT legislators should support the CSKT Compact

March 5, 2015 by Hertha Lund

1) It Is Good Policy: Even though there are noisy proponents and opponents, even though the bill is large and complex, even though the CSKT (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes) Compact could get caught up in this session's politics, the main Read More

CSKT water compact: Senator worked hard, earned thanks

Running for office takes a dedicated individual. Being elected and working hard in the Legislature takes more time and effort than most people imagine. One of these individuals spending long hours on understanding an extremely complicated piece of Read More

Agriculture, Water Use Groups Urge House Members to Pass CSKT Water Compact as Second Half of the Session Begins

March 5, 2015 by FARM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2015
CONTACT
Shelby DeMars
406-660-1969
Agriculture, Water Use Groups Urge House Members to Pass CSKT Water Compact as Second Half of the Session Begins
(Helena, Mont.)—As members of the Montana State Read More

Support for compact increasing

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, numerous stakeholder groups that depend heavily on water resources have announced their support of the Water Compact and late last week it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with strong bi-partisan support. Thanks Read More

CSKT water compact: Commend Vincent for dedication

As we've seen in recent weeks, numerous stakeholder groups that depend heavily on water resources have announced their support of the water compact, and it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with strong bipartisan support. Read More

CSKT Compact Passage will prevent litigation

Many people have questions about the CSKT Compact, and wonder whether it will affect water users in the Gallatin Valley, southwest Montana, and other areas outside the Flathead Valley. People have also been wondering what will happen if the Read More

Water compact moves one step closer to ratification

The Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes Water Compact took one step closer to ratification yesterday, as the Montana Senate voted 31-19 to approve S.B. 262 and send it to the House for final passage. Read More

CSKT water compact benefits all Montanans

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact is just one of the many important negotiated agreements that our state has entered into over a long period of time with the Indian tribes of Montana. Read More

Senate endorses Flathead tribal water compact after two-hour debate

The state Senate, after two hours of sometimes contentious debate, endorsed the Flathead Indian tribal water compact Wednesday evening, setting it up for yet another pitched battle in the House next month. Read More

SB 262, CSKT Water Compact Passes Senate Floor by 31-19

February 26, 2015 by FARM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2015
CONTACT
Shelby DeMars
406-660-1969
SB 262, CSKT Water Compact Passes Senate Floor by 31-19
CSKT Water Compact was passed by the Montana State Senate with a strong bi-partisan vote
(Helena, Read More

Mayor Krauss of Bozeman: Support SB 262, CSKT Water Compact

As Mayor of the City of Bozeman, I offer my support and that of Bozeman City Commission for Senate Bill No. 262, a bill to ratify the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water right compact. Read More

Former Gov Marc Racicot: All Montana will benefit from CSKT Water Compact

Water compact is good for Montana

The Salish and Kootenai Water Compact under consideration by the Montana Legislature is a complex agreement that has taken years, and many changes and improvements to produce. The result is compact language that is good for all Montanans. The water Read More

Senate Judiciary Passes CSKT Water Compact with Strong Bipartisan Support

Flathead Water Compact Advances To Senate Floor After Contentious Debate

The Montana Legislature took a step toward ratifying the state’s final outstanding water compact this morning, with a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The compact involving the federal government and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Read More

The CSKT Water Compact for Dummies

Today, the Judiciary Committee approved the Compact 8 to 4 and sent it to the Senate. Professionals expect the Senate to pass the Compact and send it to the House, where the outcome will be a close contest.
Most people have not studied the CSKT Read More

Montana Farm Bureau testifies in favor of water compact

The Montana Farm Bureau testified in favor of Senate Bill 262 at the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Monday, February 16. The compact is an agreement for the equitable division and apportionment of water rights between the State and its people Read More

Why I Support the CSKT Water Compact, a Property Rights Attorney’s Opinion

There are few rural Montanas who haven’t heard about the CSKT Water Compact. I’m working for a group of Montana irrigators who support the Compact and believe its approval is essential to their future on the land. I understanding that feeling. Read More

Proposed water compact heard Monday

A water allocation agreement among the state of Montana, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the federal government was heard for the first time in the Montana Legislature Monday. Read More

LTE: CSKT water compact

Do you have thousands of dollars sitting in your bank account? More importantly, do you have thousands of dollars, sitting in your bank account, that you have no better use for than paying an attorney to go to water court? Read More

To Legislators, From Former Representative and State Senator Walt McNutt

February 13, 2015 by State Senator Walt McNutt

Dear Members of the Legislature –
I am writing to provide a bit of historical legislative perspective on the CSKT water compact based on my experiences as a State Senator and State Representative. I served in the Montana Legislature, first in Read More

The Week in Review

February 13, 2015 by FARM

A compilation of news from the past week on the CSKT Water Compact
The Billings Gazette Editorial Board supports the CSKT Compact in their newest editorial “CSKT Water Compact Matters to Billings Region” by Gazette Editorial Board, The Read More

Why Senator Debby Barrett is wrong about the CSKT Water Compact

Montana Senator Debby Barrett wrote a public letter on February 11 against the CSKT Water Compact. Her letter, like all letters against the Compact, fails to prove the people of Montana will be better served by rejecting the Compact rather than by Read More

Guest View: A case for the CSKT Water Compact

The Montana legislative session has begun and one of the 900-pound gorillas in the room is the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribal water compact. The negotiations have wrapped up and a bill is being drafted to present to the Legislature. Read More

Water compact: Many lives depending on pact

To folks on both sides of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact issue: Speaking for the long-toed salamander, spotted frog, western toad and painted turtle, please share the water. Our lives depend upon it too.
Kirwin Read More

Farmers and ranchers depend on our water to irrigate our crops, to water our livestock, to care for our families and to run our businesses. Water doesn’t just play a pivotal role in our everyday lives, it is central to our ability to exist and Read More

Criticism of tribal water compact way off the mark

One of the features of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes water compact that has attracted a lot of attention is its recognition of tribal rights to instream flows on rivers outside the boundaries of the Flathead Reservation.
The Read More

Water compact needed to avoid multiple lawsuits

The Water Compact (Senate Bill 262) between the state of Montana and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is now before our Legislature.
Many folks in the Flathead Valley may think it is of little consequence whether it is approved or not. Read More

Support water pact

Our family has managed land and water along the Big Hole River in southwestern Montana for more than 140 years. I have personally filed many of the original water rights under Montana’s adjudication process. This process is essential to protect Read More

Risk too high for Montana if water compact fails

Our family has managed land and water along the Big Hole River in southwestern Montana for over 140 years. I have personally filed many of the original water rights under Montana’s adjudication process. This process is essential to protect Read More

A case for the CSKT water compact

The Montana legislative session has begun, and one of the 900-pound gorillas in the room is the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribesl water compact. The negotiations have wrapped up, and a bill is being drafted to present to the legislature. Read More

Gazette opinion: CSKT water compact matters to Billings region

Lorents Grosfield doesn’t want to go to court to re-litigate his rights as an irrigator on his Sweet Grass County ranch. But the prospect of uncertain years in court looms for Grosfield and other central Montana ranchers. Read More

Rancher & Former State Senate President Joins Growing Membership of Farmers And Ranchers for Montana

February 7, 2015 by FARM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6th, 2015
CONTACT
Shelby DeMars
406-660-1969
Rancher & Former State Senate President Joins Growing Membership of Farmers And Ranchers for Montana
(Helena, Mont.)—Tom Beck, the former State Senate Read More

Legislators Gather to Learn about CSKT Water Compact at Education Session

February 7, 2015 by mercury

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7th, 2015
CONTACT
Shelby DeMars
406-660-1969
Legislators Gather to Learn about CSKT Water Compact at Education Session
(Helena, Mont.)—Today legislators from across the state gathered at an education Read More

Future of Montana agriculture depends on CSKT water compact

Farmers and ranchers depend on our water to irrigate our crops, to water our livestock, to care for our families, and to run our businesses. Water doesn’t just play a pivotal role in our everyday lives, it is central to our ability to exist and Read More

Pass CSKT now

The looming deadline for the state to ratify the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Water Compact should have farmers and ranchers squirming. This legislative session is the last chance for the compact to be approved. Sixteen tribal Read More

HELENA – A Republican state senator from Libby on Tuesday introduced the bill to ratify the controversial state water rights compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes – and said he’s giving every state lawmaker a detailed Read More

CSKT Water Compact Bill Introduced in Montana State Senate

February 4, 2015 by FARM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3rd, 2015
CONTACT
Shelby DeMars
406-660-1969
CSKT Water Compact Bill Introduced in Montana State Senate
(Helena, Mont.)—Today the CSKT Water Compact, supported by Montana's largest farm and ranch Read More

LTE: Approve Water Compact Before It’s Too Late By Martha Humphreys

The looming deadline for the state to ratify the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ water compact should have farmers and rancher squirming. This legislative session is the last chance for the compact to be approved. Sixteen tribal compacts Read More

Top Montana ag groups endorse CSKT water compact

Three of Montana's largest and most influential agriculture and water rights organizations are publicly endorsing passage of a proposed water compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, now before the Montana Legislature. Read More

Irrigation groups add support to CSKT compact

The Montana Stockgrowers Association and the Montana Water Resources Association have added their voices to that of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation in supporting state passage of the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes Water Compact.
Read More

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has responded to a letter from the Flathead County Commission that opposed the proposed water compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, in which Bullock said the commission’s concerns are “rooted in Read More

CSKT Compact Protects Water Rights in Beaverhead County

As water users in Beaverhead County, we expect our water rights to have as much protection as any other personal property right. Beaverhead County’s main economic driver is agriculture, having a reliable water source for all irrigation and Read More

CSKT water compact topic of program

The Republican Women and Lake County Democrats are joining together to present an informational program, titled "CSKT Water Compact and You,” at the Salish Kootenai College Theater in Polson on Thursday, Jan. 29. Refreshments will be served at Read More

Why Legislature must approve water compact

As Robert Frost wrote, there are two paths and the path taken makes all the difference. A true evaluation of the Salish and Kootenai water compact requires looking ahead to see what is at the end of each path. Read More

Revised compact deserves support of legislature, Montanans

As the Legislature prepares to take up a revised water compact, I’m encouraged by all of the new developments that will give Montanans stable and reliable access to water and erase the uncertainty that hangs over property owners across the state. Read More

Revised compact open to comments

A revised draft of the proposed water compact for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will be presented to the public during four meetings beginning Friday in Ronan, Kalispell and Helena.
Read More

Time to move forward with water compact

Ryan Zinke visits CSKT Council

Ryan Zinke, the Republican congressman-elect for Montana’s at-large congressional district, made his first visit to CSKT at the Tribal Council Chambers Tuesday of last week. Zinke says it’s his way of reaching out to the areas where he received Read More

FARM Applauds “Reasonable Common Ground” Reached on Water Compact Agreement

Today, Farmers and Ranchers for Montana (FARM), a new grassroots coalition with more than 230 members across the state, praised the agreement reached on a revised water compact after a host of significant changes were made. Read More

Farmers, ranchers, business owners form group backing Flathead water compact

HELENA – Farmers, ranchers and business owners are leading a new group supporting the Flathead tribal water rights compact, saying Tuesday its passage is vital for the economy and water users across the state.
Read More

Gallatin irrigator heads Flathead compact education effort

Ratification of the Flathead Water Compact stalled in the 2013 Legislature, partly because of misinformation. A coalition of Montana farmers and ranchers has formed to see that doesn’t happen again.
Read More

A re-evaluation of protected bull trout habitat, litigation, and ongoing negotiations of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Water Compact will have a significant impact on the operation of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project in the next year, Read More

State, Tribes, Feds hash out compact

State, federal, and tribal leaders seemed to agree on a critical legal aspect of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Water Compact at a Nov. 5 negotiating session, although they were still slightly at odds over certain water management priorities. Read More

Missoulian: Supports must speak up

It is becoming painfully clear that those who oppose the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes compact are pulling out all the stops to get it killed. They have hired an out-of-state law firm and created an across-the-state campaign to kill it. Read More

Flathead Beacon: Commission Votes to Send New Letter to State About Water Compact

The Flathead County Commission held another contentious hearing in its chambers, this time focusing on a letter it will send to the governor regarding the state’s water compact with the Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Read More

Flathead residents speak out on water compact

Residents in Flathead County voiced their opinions Thursday morning, about a letter county commissioners will send to Gov. Steve Bullock regarding the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Water Rights Compact. Read More

The clock is ticking as state, tribal and federal negotiators focus on redeveloping a water-rights compact for the Flathead Basin in time for the upcoming Legislature, when lawmakers could decide the fate of a bitter battle extending from the Read More

Flathead Beacon: County Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Water Compact

The Flathead County Commission intends to host an Oct. 22 public hearing on the state’s proposed water compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and the hearing will likely end with the signing of a new letter to the governor Read More

Missoulian: Tribal water compact dilemma needs negotiating in good faith

Experts: CSKT water-rights compact based on ‘reasonable’ science

A legislative working group came to their final meeting Tuesday armed with a 100-page report that says the scientific modeling used in the state's water-rights compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is reasonable. Read More

Billings Gazette: Guest opinion: CSKT water compact will serve all Montanans well

As members of the Montana Senate who come from opposing parties, we have often found ourselves disagreeing about political values, legislative proposals and our constituents’ interests. But we do agree there are times when we all should leave Read More

I think a bit of history might be in order here. After being away from the area for a few years, in early 2003, I was approached by the Flathead Joint Board of Control and asked if I would be willing to return and work on Flathead Indian Irrigation Read More

Missoulian: Sanders County meeting delves into Flathead water compact

THOMPSON FALLS – Groups firmly opposed to a proposed water compact between the state, federal government and the nearby Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes invited the public to a meeting in Sanders County recently to explain their side. Read More

Valley Journal: Passing compact ensures water use

Given the complexity, variety of opinions, and personal interpretations, it’s easy to become confused about the water compact. I attended the Water Stewards lunch and hearing from farmers, business leaders, bankers, and Montana government Read More

Missoulian: Time for a do-over: New and far better water compact that actually benefits all users is possible

The conflict between sides of the proposed water use compact for the Flathead Reservation and western Montana took an ugly turn when one side played the race card in a desperate attempt to cloud the issue and turn the debate into a racially charged Read More

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes hosted a day-long informational session for state legislators in Helena last week about a proposed water compact that would impact much of western Montana. At the same time, irrigators of the Flathead Read More

Lake County Leader: State AG wants CSKT water suit to be dismissed

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox filed papers May 29 asking the Twentieth U.S. District Court in Missoula to dismiss a case filed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes that would determine critical water rights claims on the Flathead Indian Read More

AP/Missoulian: State seeks to intervene in CSKT water rights lawsuit

HELENA – Montana’s attorney general said Thursday he is asking the U.S. District Court in Missoula for permission to intervene in a water rights lawsuit filed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Read More

Water rights returned to the forefront on the Flathead Indian Reservation on Monday afternoon, when a state legislative committee and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council held a joint meeting in Pablo, and several local irrigation Read More

I am a landowner in the Mission and Flathead irrigation districts. I have also served as a member and past chairman of the Cooperative Management Entity (CME) that operated the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project (FIIP) from 2010 until 2014. The CME Read More

Daily Inter Lake: Judge rules against irrigation deal

A Lake County District Court judge has delivered a major blow to a pending water rights compact for the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes, ruling that one of the compact’s three major parts is fundamentally and constitutionally flawed. Read More

Valley Journal: Thankful for compact session participation

Thank you to everyone who came to the Montana Water Stewards lunch on July 23 in Ronan. I know it was tough to leave your farms, ranches and businesses at this time of year in the middle of the day. Seeing so many people at the event shows how Read More

Hoping for CSKT Compact passage in State Legislature

To the editor: We farm 1,200 irrigated acres on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. The Lake family has been farming here since 1934. We raise potatoes, grains, hay and cattle. Read More

AP/Missoulian: Flathead water compact talks may be reopened

Discussions have been held on reopening negotiations for a water rights compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to include protections for irrigators living on or near the Flathead Reservation, the chairman of the Montana Reserved Read More

Valley Journal: Tribes grateful for support of water compact

On Feb. 26, the Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission voted 8-1 to forward the completed water rights compact to the state legislature. The Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes wants to thank everyone who came forward in support Read More

Missoulian: Support CSKT water compact, avoid expensive litigation

The 1979 Montana Legislature passed legislation requiring the state to negotiate a quantification of the water rights claimed by the CSKT as prescribed in the 1855 Hellgate Treaty. The CSKT water compact is the result of the negotiations between the Read More

Missoulian: Salish-Kootenai Water Compact: Approve it!

The 1979 Montana legislature passed legislation requiring the state to negotiate a quantification of the water rights claimed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes as prescribed in the 1855 Hellgate Treaty.
Read More

Missoulian: Flathead Compact: Plan is not a taking of water rights

Boyd Frame (Missoulian, Feb. 6) quotes language from the Flathead Water Use Agreement, which he claims demonstrates that the Flathead Compact creates a taking of water rights, and that I do not understand the compact that I helped negotiate. He’s Read More

Missoulian: CSKT Water compact: Positive aspects of passage

The proponents of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Compact were criticized for only bringing up litigation at the Water Interim Committee. Frankly, litigation is always something to avoid because the outcome is a win-lose situation, not a Read More

Valley Journal: Delivered irrigation water more important than water right

It is often asserted in letters and public comments that under the CSKT Water Compact “individual state based water rights are being transferred to the CSKT.” But irrigators currently do not have individual state based water rights on FIIP Read More

Missoulian: Officials studied and support water compact, as you should

After long and thoughtful investigation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal compact, the county commissioners of Flathead, Lake and Missoula counties have letters of support for the CSKT water compact. Read More

A new report on the Flathead Indian Reservation water rights agreement did little to dampen controversy over the proposed pact, as water users from both sides Monday once again fiercely disputed the agreement’s effects. Read More

Missoulian: Report released on CSKT water compact, impact if fails, off-reservation claims

POLSON – With all the legal and legislative maneuverings, countless letters to the editor, battles among irrigators and arguments over whether the name of an irrigation project contains the word “Indian,” it can be easy to lose sight of Read More

Flathead Newsgroup: Commission member rebuts op-ed on CSKT water compact

Some clarifications on the proposed CSKT water compact

Verdell Jackson’s analysis of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes proposed water compact is flawed. Verdell does not get to decide what the tribe does and does not get. That will either be decided by accepting the negotiated compact or Read More

Missoulian: Former Montana Water Court judge: Compact litigation benefits few

Back when he was a practicing attorney, Bruce Loble said his advice to a client in a water rights case was so vague the client finally said, “Why did I come to you? You can’t tell me anything.” Read More

Enough battles, time to move forward with compact, water use agreement

Western Water Law is also known as the Prior Appropriation Doctrine. A common phrase used to describe the law or doctrine is “first in time, first in right.” In a case known as Winters, the United States Supreme Court held that Indian tribes had Read More

Flathead Newsgroup: Flathead water compact is being misrepresented

A July 31, 2013, column in the Flathead Beacon by Dave Skinner makes important historical observations and states key facts about the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). He did a good job — except he evidently failed to read the Read More

Valley Journal: Lies dooming the compact

Don’t be fooled. That’s how a recent letter started. And then the writer went on to try to fool people. For the record: There is nothing in the proposed Flathead Compact or the Flathead Water Use Agreement that takes away any persons Read More

Leader Advertiser: Water Law and the Compact

As Flathead Irrigation District farmers and ranchers, as irrigators who make their living from the land, we have some grave concerns about the misinformation that is circulating about the proposed Water Use Agreement and the Flathead Reservation Read More